The Hindu : National : Air accident victims to get more compensation

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Air accident victims to get more compensation

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Carriage by Air Bill that enhances the compensation amount to victims of air accidents or for damage caused to baggage or cargo, bringing it on a par with the international rates.

The Bill was adopted by voice vote after Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said it was necessary for India to ratify it as part of an international protocol — the Montreal Convention 1999. The legislation would enable payment of higher compensation to air travellers in the event of death or injury and prevent Indian passengers from discrimination.

Replying to a long discussion, the Minister assured the House that Indian skies were as safe as those of other skies.

Under the Bill, the amount of compensation for death or injury has been increased to 100,000 Special Drawing Rights or $20,000. The choice of jurisdiction has been expanded to include the place of domicile of passengers and provisions made for advance payments for death or injury.

“Though the Convention covers international travel, we have some amount of compensation for domestic travellers as well. We will also consider enhanced compensation for domestic passengers,” Mr. Patel said. He said that there would be no difference in compensation as far as class of travel is concerned.

Mr. Patel said it would not lead to an increase in domestic air fares and airlines could not be forced to pay compensation for incidents over which they had no control. “We can put certain other issues before the international body for ratification.”

As against 72,000 pilgrims in 2004, 1.10 lakh performed the Haj pilgrimage this year.

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